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Subscribe to RSSThe U.N. Security Council, including Russia, agreed on Wednesday to a statement endorsing efforts by Kofi Annan to end the Syrian uprising, providing a rare moment of global unity in the face of the year-long crisis.
The statement, which threatens Syria with unspecified "further steps" if it fails to comply with a six-point peace plan drawn up by Annan, will be formally adopted in New York later in the day, diplomats said.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday praised the move as a "positive step".
"To President Assad and his regime we say, along with the rest of the international community: take this path, commit to it, or face increasing pressure and isolation," Clinton told reporters after a meeting with Afghanistan's foreign minister.
Although the original Western-drafted statement had to be diluted at Russia's demand, editing out any specific ultimatums, the fact that all major powers signed up to the proposal represented a blow to President Bashar Assad, who is fighting for his survival.
Activist: Assad's deadly crackdown turning peaceful Syrians into terrorists
At least 8,000 people have died in the revolt, according to U.N. figures, with the violence intensifying in recent weeks as pro-government forces bombard rebel towns and villages, looking to sweep their lightly armed opponents out of their strongholds.
U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday that the crisis was alarming and had "massive repercussions" for the entire world.
"We do not know how events will unfold. But we do know that we all have a responsibility to work for a resolution of this profound and extremely dangerous crisis," Ban said in a speech in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.
Syria lies in a pivotal position at the heart of a web of regional conflicts in the Middle East, comprising a mix of faiths, sects and ethnic groups, and diplomats fear the rebellion is degenerating into a full-blown civil war.
Assad's forces have chalked up a string of gains as they turned their firepower on areas held by rebels, but the fighting shows no sign of abating and analysts expect the insurgents to change their tactics and adopt guerrilla warfare.
Opposition activists said the army used tanks, artillery and anti-aircraft guns on the Damascus suburbs of Harasta and Irbin early Wednesday, which were retaken from rebels two months ago but have seen renewed insurgency in recent days.
From university campus to torture chamber: A Syrian refugee's fight for freedom
Elsewhere, the army fired mortars into the Khalidiya district of Homs, while artillery targeted the rebel town of Rastan, north of Homs city, in central Syria. Video also showed shelling of the ancient Apamea castle at Qalat Mudiq, near Hama.
Reports from Syria cannot be independently verified because officials have barred access to rights groups and journalists.
Russia and China have vetoed two previous U.N. draft resolutions that would have condemned Damascus and have resisted calls from Western and Arab states for Assad to stand down.
But faced by growing global outrage at the bloodshed, the two countries agreed to a so-called "presidential statement", which are generally non-binding documents that nonetheless require unanimous support in the Security Council.
Speaking after the UN agreement was reached, Britain's Foreign Secretary, William Hague, said: “I strongly welcome the Security Council’s full and unanimous support for the work of Kofi Annan as joint UN-Arab League envoy, expressed in today’s Presidential statement.
"I urge the Syrian authorities to take this chance to stop the bloodshed and show their commitment to implementing Kofi Annan’s six point plan, including by immediately pulling back the military from in and around population centers."
Reuters and msnbc.com staff contributed to this report.
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Once the rebels agree to stop the rebellion then the government will stop fighting them. Its just that simple.
Given that the government was fighting the "rebels" before the rebellion started, there's no way to know if that's true. It's entirely likely that entire cities could be targeted punitively as retaliation for hosting uprisings.
That's putting aside the more basic argument of whether that's a reasonable request of an opressed and downtrodden people: "When you accept and learn to live with a government that will kill and torture you, the government will stop killing and torturing you."
This agreement sounds like another empty gesture by the UN. Didn't Russia send in its terror troops to aid Syria less than 2 weeks ago?
I don't see the point of China and Russia having as much power in the UN as they do as far as human rights issues go.
By the way, ever heard of collateral damage? Whether or not there are rebels, you can't rationalize the Syrian army bombarding an entire city. Basic common sense would tell you that the majority of the population are innocent bystanders.
That's exactly what the English said in 1776 about the Colonies...
Alex Le-4132639 "I don't see the point of China and Russia having as much power in the UN" Nukes they have nukes, duh!
Lots of countries have nuclear weapons but aren't on the security council. That doesn't mean squat.
ok Assad
Of course. . . The beatings will continue until morale improves!
the UN has become as useless as tits on a boar hog.
That implies that it was less useless at some previous point.
I agree with both of you.
But at least this time Russia is on board . Cooler heads are trying to prevail . Plus it opens the door for possible military action in the future, even tho it has not been put in writing yet. Hopefully other countries step up and send in their troops. Anybody but us this time !!!! Let another country get caught up in this snake pit part of the world for a change.
bob
I doubt it will happen, but I suppose it technically qualifies as progress...
It's just sad that we've set the bar so low.
Worst than useless. Syria is still on the UNESCO committee on human rights. The UN Human Rights Council just approved a report praising Gaddafi's human rights record. The UN's gross negligence caused a cholera epidemic to sweep through Haiti starting in 2010. And on, and on, and on....
I'm a frequent critic of the UN, but at the same time the UN's failure to act or prevent problems does not make them responsible for them; the UN did not CAUSE a cholera epidemic. They merely failed to stop it.
There's a big difference between malicious action and negligence, and it's a difference that's worth upholding.
What a joke. Syria is laughing since they're just a pawn of Russia and China anyway. Russia & China signed this thing with a wink and a nod.
BLAH
A wink and a nod---- I think not.
Russia and China know that it behoves them just as it does us to have peace and stability in the middle east. Like us they also know that if the middle east blows up. It will cause a confrontation between the three of us . That risk none want take.
bob
If Russia & China really believed that, they wouldn't fight the rest of the world on Iran, North Korean, and now Syria every time it comes up in the UN. They want these dictators to stay in place so they can continue to get oil and sell them weapons. Nobody should trust Putin....nobody.
Well, they'd rather have an unstable government that's friendly toward them and uncritical of human rights violations than a stable government that mistrusts them and their own authoritarian regime, but bob is right in that stability is still an important goal for them. If Russia thought it could get the region to cool down and still keep its naval base, it'd jump at the chance.
They're also afraid that legislation in the UN used against lesser dictators might eventually be used as precedence to intervene in their affairs.
Well, we've reached an agreement to maybe do something if Assad doesn't stop killing people! Although that's a non-binding declaration.
Has it really taken so long to do so little?
The United Scum-bag Nations is a dog & pony show...... The constant collaborated failures haven't gone unnoticed by me.... Rwanda ring any bells..... Countless lives have been lost unnecessarily due to inaction. Go ahead and pat your collective worthless shoulders for making a decision based on words..... Whoopee friggin' do!
Little sign that as expected Russia and China are abandonning their little dictator. next, the rebels will raid his castle and snatch him in the middle of the night. He has no where to hide any longer.
The comments about the UN here are misleading at the very least. The UN is an essential organization that tries against huge odds to lessen the dangers of war, and the misery of populations under oppressive regimes. Because of the difference of opinions amongst nations, this is seldom easy as we are seeing here; each nation tending to look after its own interests first (including the US of course). In spite of the comments here, the UN has done much over the years to control regional conflicts, reduce misery within poor nations, and stands for the highest aspirations of humanity. It deserves our fullest support, not the scurrilous attacks given here.
Tony in Chicago: Rwanda ring any bells? Mexico and the drug war ring any bells?
I have to disagree. The attacks on the UN posted here seem to be spot on. They cause misery in some ways and enable or ignore it in others. They support petty dictators and flagrantly waste the funding provided by the countries that support it financially. Inept and corrupt, their idea of multitasking.
I'll admit that we probably would not be better off without the UN. But that's an awfully weak standard to work against, and the UN consumes considerable resources and political capital. I don't think that the world is ready yet to surrender enough power to a global forum for that forum to be at all effective. The resources would probably be better spent on empowering regional clubs and multilateral agreements. Individual nations continue to accomplish far more than the UN, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
This is temporary....not good enough. Assad will not withdraw troops from one single area, not even as a gesture. He knows his days a re numbered ans he is going "All or Broke".
Syria has gone past the "point of no return"... there will be no peace deal until Assad is gone. Even then, conflict will continue as Islamic factions fight for control. The UN is worthless as this civil war grows. Let the Syrians fight if they truly want freedom. Let the Syrians determine their own fate. US stay out of it!!!
i also think if china and russia are out of the loop, he's deader than fried chicken
re"tony", well said sir!,.. the UN is not! there to attack and threaten,, it is about solutions, finding them, getting them in action, etc,..I am a wee bit astonished at so many who want to go in, guns blazing, at the drop of a hat every time something causes confusion,,,We need the UN, though the name could be worked on, and hopefully? it is,, "nations united" might be better,,,no??..Russia gets on board,, very good!!,..They should be paying more attention to the true facts and not acting on rumour and innuendo,,,perhaps that is what we are seeing??..I still say, there is more to this "story" than we are being told,,someone, ahem,, is pushing mr asads buttons,, and I think we can guess who that is, no??.actions for Russia??. shut off all arms deliveries,,all of them!![they have enough already, too many some might say?],..and If! Putin has a door to assad??,,use it! sir,..save some lives,,,you want to be prez for 30 years??, then act like one, no??.. show us some leadership,courage and honour,.. we know these things are there,, and, if you continue selling arms to despots??,, sooner or later, those same arms will come back and bite you! sir on the gluteus maximus,,,may want to think about that before!! you sell these things, no??.. anyways,,, good one UN!,, "make it so",.. and "engage"..and do not expect any rational action from mr psychopath assad,,, aint gonna happen, sorry to say,, when you live in a world where a lie repeated 5 times becomes "fact"[at least in his mind?].. then rationality is not!! on the table at any time,, best plan around it,..no?..a psychopath that is losing his "control" over others can be and quite often is, a very!! dangerous person to others,, very!!,..some one said here,;"yes, act, but not us this time".. weeeel,, worked in Libya didnt it??[well done CANADA!, we didnt lose anyone, and that! takes real talent].. and no one asked the US to be the worlds policeman,,,it is an offshoot of ww1 and 2 etc,,,think,,"defense".. and thats all for the now,,, well,, advice is good,.. but we need to think about what not!! to do, just as much, or perhaps even more, than we need to think of what to!! do,,,,..do not!! go in guns blazing,, that is what the crims want you/us to do,,, be smart,think,,then and only then,,,act!,..and Thanx Russia and!! Mr Putin,, hey, even "leaders" can learn, see??.. we aint none of us born "oracles",, at least, none that I have met??..its not!! the "suit", it is what in it!! that matters,, ya know, I kind of like this Putin fellow,, shows some real smarts at times,, he may be THE ONE! for russia to join the rest of the planet and work as a team,,,this wee blue marble gets "wee,er" every day,, smart people will work with it,, dumb,ers,will not,.. so be it!!
Human rights violations mean something. Those aren't just words, it means they hurt people with intent. Civilians are protected under the Geneva convention during war. This is a civil WAR. Its that simple.
I find it telling that even the Arab League wasn't able to stop the violence in Syria... so a non-binding resolution from the United Nations of gasbags will be completely useless.
Well, the Arab League isn't substantially more empowered than the UN is. I don't even think they have their own peacekeeping force (could be wrong on this).
In the end, these institutions are just barometers of international opinion. It's hard for a government to survive complete international isolation, after all.
There is virtually no such thing as complete international isolation. Every attempt at it has been so full of holes that all it winds up doing is raising prices in the targeted country and making a lot of money for those who don't go along with it.
As for the Arab League, they get their peacekeepers the same way the UN does, from countries in their organization that volunteer them.
I actually didn't know they even had a volunteer peacekeeping force, so thank you for informing me.
And efforts at international isolation do matter, even partial ones. Cuba, Iran, and especially North Korea have all suffered considerable economic damage due to American sanctions against them.
Now, as far as getting actual results with sanctions... that's a very questionable matter. It's all a matter of whether or not the people in charge actually care about the success of their country. North Korea is an example of a regime that definitely doesn't. And Myanmar is an example of a regime that seems to have finally decided to make an effort to make amends and open up.
While the countries you mentioned have suffered economic harm from sanctions, what exactly has it changed in their political stance in the world? N. Korea built a nuke while they were supposed to be not developing one. Iran upgraded their uranium enrichment capabilities and abilities while under sanctions. Iraq's leaders were pocketing billions and increasing their military. Cuba...okay, their rum and cigars are still excellent.
But really, by my definition of "working" I would say these have been major failures of sanctions.
russia only agreed cause they was hated for their last 2 vetos and this reslution is non binding and plus it really does nothing but safe russia and china face. ASsad started this when he first sent military to kill protestors which some of the military refused and formed rebellion. for those who said rebellion attacked first learn to read because last year it was protestors first they was marching everywhere and assad responded with deadly crackdown and some of those troops refused to attack civilians so they left the military and formed rebellion after seeing so many protestors die because some people really have short memories cause if u remember there was no attacks on assad at all during protesting only phase. So it was assad who started this by killing civilians and caused this. Rebellion so far according to wikipedia has 60,000 troops and if they them in groups of squads and all of them attack military hit and run attacks all over country the military isnt strong enough to to be all places at once and this style of operations can wear down military hard within year or more.
You're correct, although I doubt the Syrian Free Army is truly 60,000 strong (that's quite a substantial force!).
They don't have the logistics or supplies to manage that many troops without a centralized command and institutions within the country, and the SFA isn't unified, either.
Wrong location for my post oops.
Stop pussy footing around and tell Assad he has 5 days to withdraw heavy wearons and troops from cities or face an indictment by the international war crimes court......That is a language he can understand.
I disagree. At the end if the U.S. gets in the middle of it, there will be collateral damage (pretty much inevitable in a war), and syrians will blame the U.S. for all the deaths and hate us, just like in Iraq and Afghanistan, even if the majority are victims of insurgent groups. Also we don't know what kind of leader(s) will rise if Assad is overthrown. I say it is their civil war, their decision if they want to fight to the death, and their country, if the U.S. meddles we'll just get hate, blame, and more U.S. soldiers' blood shed.
The guy is a dictator for sure, but have we not learn anything from Saddam Hussein and Ghadafi? from Libya and Iraq? ... he will possibly be replaced by others as bad as he is, who don't care anymore then he does about people.
Either way it is their civil war, their decision, and their country.
Again with the "stop or I'll say stop again" approach. The UN continues to be a defunct element incapable of solving any issue!
And it displays its inherent defect every time one of the major powers vetoes a Security Council resolution. The SC essentially dictates (or frustrates) policy while the rest of the world - the hamstrung General Assembly - seethes and squirms.
This is clearly an imperfect response to the events in Syria. The other options, however, are worse which would be to send in outside forces and start a fireball across the whole region. I wonder what people would suggest be done given the opposition of Russia and China to direct intervention.
I would suggest we allow the Syrians to decide their own fate.
Always A Good Thing To See Any Kind Of Positive Steps Towards World Peace.
From: Peace it Together <info@peaceittogether.com>
Subject: Re: "CHILDREN SEEKING WORLD PEACE" SHORT FILM SCRIPT
To: "Michael V. Caldwell" <mikezz32@yahoo.com>
Date: Monday, March 19, 2012, 10:49 AM
Hi Michael,
Thanks for sending along your beautiful scripts
It's encouraging to read your words and envision your hope for peace
That hope is badly needed in our world
thanks for carrying it
peace to you
Emily Parsons Dickau
On Sun, Mar 18, 2012 at 2:48 PM, Michael V. Caldwell <mikezz32@yahoo.com> wrote:
"CHILDREN SEEKING WORLD PEACE" (Short Film Script)
Opening Scene;
We see the Outside of the United Nations Building next we see a man dressed in a suite carrying a brief case walking into the building he approaches the Desk of the Chairman of the United Nations, pulls out a very large manila envelope and hands it to the Chairman. The Chairman opens the envelope, reads the paper work and scratches his head, looks up at the Special Carrier with a bewildered look on his face and says; Wow this is an Extremely Unusual Request and it comes from very unusual sources this is a First for me.
Carrier
What do you mean unusual request, who sent the letter ?
Chairman
Did you notice the Post Marks on this letter ?
Carrier
Yes I did, and it also has so many different kinds of stamps on it from around the World.
I have never seen so many Stamps on one envelope in my life, so who is it from and what are they want ?
Chairman
It appears that they are following up on an idea that originated from a Film Script Writer in America who came up with an Idea of writing a short Film Script he Calls "Children Seeking World Peace" The writer posted it on line and some of the Country Leaders around the World liked the idea so that they implemented it.
Carrier
Implement what ?
Chairman
Every Country in the World picked two Young Students from one of their schools a boy and a girl to represent their Country and are asking for a "SPECIAL UNITED NATION'S MEETING" that will be attended by all of the Leaders in the World but this is the Catch.
The adults are not to speak at this meeting, only the Children will be allowed to speak at this Special meeting called "CHILDREN SEEKING WORLD PEACE"
Carrier
Wow, I see what you mean when you said an unusual request and that is comes from an unusual source you were right about that.
Chairman
There's more this request gets even more stranger they are requesting that we install a large garden area next to the United Nation Building before this meeting takes place that we don't plant anything in the garden area just leave it bare dirt, there are to be small signs placed every two feet next to the rows in this garden area with the names of each Country in the World next to each one of these signs there will also be a watering can containing water.
Carrier
Do you think that the Board will consider this bizarr & unusual request ?
Chairman
Yes I do after all these are the Children of the World, the next Generation seeking the opportunity for them to be part of the Peace Process from their Generation and we should give them the opportunity to do so.
Scene Two;
We see the inside of the United Nations building where many young children are standing paired off one boy and one girl facing all of the Adult Leaders from around the World these Children are from all walks of life all different nationalities and all dressed differently.
Every Girl is holding a small pot containing a different flower in it in one hand and a small shovel in their other hand.
Each Boy is holding a small pot containing a different kind of plant in one hand and a small shovel in his other hand.
(all of these flowers and plants are beautiful and very colorful)
Every Boy & Girl from their Country are wearing Name tags with their Countries names on the tags. The Children are just standing there in silence.
The inside of this building is silent at first then we hear whispers coming from the Adult Leaders, what is this all about, what do they want, this is strange.
Next we see a girl step forward from the row of children following behind her is another girl and a boy they are all three standing there for a minute and the room gets silent.
Then the boy speaks,
I have been chosen to speak on behalf of all of the Children in this room. We are standing here before all of you representing the Worlds Next Generation, Your Worlds Next Generation. We only have a few words to say to all of you here today.
All of us had several things that we wanted to say to all of you today but we all decided that words are not enough without all of Our WORLD LEADERS making a Solid Commitment to end all Wars in Our World Today ! ! !
So, we only have three words to say to all of you here today... " PLEASE JUST STOP"
(one of the girls standing next to this young boy translates this message in all languages)
The three young children stand there for a minute in silence then one of the two girls step forward she says, we only have one more request to ask from all of you in this building today, please follow us to the garden area located just outside this building.
(the other girl translates this request in all languages)
The other children in the building follow the three children exiting the building followed by the Adults.
Third Scene;
We see all of the children lined up still holding their flowers and plants in one hand and their shovels in their other hand they are paired off one boy and one girl standing along side of the garden rows facing their Countries signs that are placed in two foot sections of their Special Garden.
(we see all of the Adult Leaders standing around this garden in groups whispering to each other we can't make out what they are saying to each other but they have a confused look on their faces)
Next the same Girl that spoke earlier in the building is holding a flower in one hand and a small shovel in her other hand says, I would like all of the Adult Leaders from their Countries to stand in front of their Countries signs facing each of us. (translated by the girl standing next to this girl)
The Adult Leaders line up in front of their Countries garden signs facing these children then every child bends down at the same time and digs a small hole in the ground in their two foot section of this Special Garden. (each two foot garden section now has two small holes dug in them and everyone is silent)
Next we see the same girl that spoke earlier stand up after digging her hole in the garden she hands her Adult Counter Part Leader her Potted Flower and says, each one of these Flowers that all of us has brought here today Represent WORLD PEACE for Our Future.
she continues..
All of the Children Around the World requested this SPECIAL UNITED NATIONS MEETING to beg all of the Leaders of Our world to help us Plant our Flowers here today to end all Wars in our World Immediately and all of the Plants that the Boys brought here today represent Commitment To Do So.
(translated again by the girl standing next to her)
Next we see the Boy that spoke earlier at the meeting hand his Adult Counter Part his potted plant then the Girl that is speaking looks over at all of the other Children that are still standing next to their garden and she nodes her head.
Then, All of the Children say the words together, in their own languages in a loud & begging tone. "PLEASE JUST STOP"
Next, We see all of the Children reach in their pockets, pull out a small bag and pour out a few of seeds into each of their Adult Counter Parts hands.
The Girl speaker then says,
we are giving all of you our seeds to take home with you so you can plant them in your gardens as a reminder of your Commitment all of you made here today to; END ALL WARS In Our World IMMEDIATELY..THESE SEEDS ALSO REPRESENT FORGIVENESS for without forgiveness there can be no PEACE, so please pass these seeds on to your transgressor so the Peace Process can begin. (translated by the girl standing next to her)
Last Scene
We see all of the Adult Leaders bent down next to the Children planting the Children's Flowers & Plants together in their "Special World Peace Garden" Located in Front Of the "UNITED NATIONS BUILDING"
Fade Out..
Written by, Michael V. Caldwell, Always Striving To Be Part Of The Solution, Using Respect & Common Sense As My Guidelines To Follow At All Times...
Respectfully,Thank all of You, for taking the time to read this IMPORTANT & Very Badly Needed message.
"DREAM BIG DO BIG"
________________________________________________________________________________________
"ROAD TO PEACE" (film short story)
Opening Scene: (filmed in black & white, silent film)
We see an old Soldier walking down a dirt road with a machine gun under his arm
and carrying his young son on his shoulders.
The young boy and his father are dressed in their combat clothing and the boy
also has a machine gun gun tucked under his arm, suddenly they stop.
(our camera pans to a person sitting on a large rock on the side of the road)
We see the back of this person only, the person is wearing a black hooded robe
with their hood raised up.
(we pan back to the old soldier and his son)
The old soldier places his son on the road then pushes him in the direction
of the hooded stranger.
The young boy walks cautiously up to the stranger with his gun drawn
upwards as he gets closer we notice the person is small in stature then the boy
points
the gun at the back of the strangers head.
The stranger turns around slowly then we see it is a young girl, the girl
is the same age as the boy.
The young girl places a daisy in the barrel of the boy's gun.
(at that instant our film changes to color and remains in color)
Next, we see they young boy standing there with a blank look on his face he
then drops the gun on the ground, the gun vanishes and where the gun was we see
three books there instead.
The boy picks up the books curiously, then turns and looks in the direction
where his father was with an astonishment look.
(we show a close-up on boys face then we pan our camera to the father)
The boy's father is now standing there dressed in a white shirt and slacks and
holding sets of plans tucked under his arm in the place of a gun.
(we pan back to boy and girl)
We see the boy standing there dressed in the same attire as his father, with
three books tucked under his arm in place of his gun staring at the girl that
is still sitting on the rock, the girl has long curly brown hair and is now
wearing white clothing, she also has three books sitting next to her.
Closing Scene:
We see the backs of all three of them walking down the road towards the setting
sun, the boy and the girl are holding hands both of them carrying three books
tucked under their arms.
The father has three sets of building plans tucked under his arm and is walking
with his head up high..
Fade Out End...Or Beginning Of A Brighter Badly Needed Future For Our World.
It is not our job to get involved in the internal affairs of another country. When enough Syrians decide to fight and overthrow Assad, he will be overthrown.
If you justify going into Syria with military force then why not North Korea? Tens of thousands of NKs are dying of starvation because the government spends its resources on its army instead of its people. Shouldn't we save lives there by overthrowing their tinpot dictator?
Or how about South Sudan and the violence there? Or how about Darfur and the killings there? Or how about Somalia and the starvation and killings there....... The list goes on long and bloody!!
Our culture is struggling to survive. Protect it first and let the rest of the world take care of itself! The US is not, should not, and can not be the world's policeman. We can't afford it because it is a never ending job requiring unlimited resources. The US doesn't have unlimited resources.
The situation in Syria is unique among all those countries you noted because it actually has a middling economy and half-way decent institutions, and this conflict has been brought about by the suppression of protests for democracy turning into a rebellion.
So we have a few elements that arguably make intervention viable:
A centralized enemy that holds responsibility for the crime (Assad)
An armed force that is willing and (in theory) able to replace the current security forces and maintain order
Institutions that are basically functional, but lacking a democratic element, which the people are demanding
A population that would work with the new order to restore stability and maintain the new state (disputed by some)
So this isn't just "another bloody regime crackdown". This scenario has a real chance of turning out for the better.
"The U.N. Security Council, including Russia, agreed on Wednesday to a statement endorsing efforts by Kofi Annan to end the Syrian uprising..."
Wow! Could you get any more lame than that? Seriously, we have world wide agreement that Annan should try to end the conflict in Syria. THIS is a big step forward? It's total bull! The UN continues to demonstrate why it is a totally ineffective organization and why we should get out of it and tell them to move their HQ to Geneva.
Of course, there is the question of quite who is responsible at the end of the day - and it may also be us as the latest WIKILEAKS data dump exposed the following: SCG International, with highly placed individual J. Smith ( who apparently used to be a director of Blackwater - a well known honest and charitable organization ), with cover from a congresswomen Sue Myrick ( presumably influenced ) has been somehow involved in supporting the FSA as tasked to accomplish regime change in Syria. This apparently explicitly stated in released e_mails. Yes, is it not good and satisfying to see our taxpayer dollars help build a pile of bodies? I Hope Annan and the UN also acts against such incitement/external meddling.
SOB Russians: they voted for 'peace' after the slaughter of thousands in Homs, etc. - and only after the freedom fighters started hitting the thugs in Damascus.
russia and china have their own skeletons in tibet and the southern republics thats why they were holding out ,but they might have been holding out too long,government forces have been undiscriminately bombarding cities to rubble ,soon all syria will be reduced to rubble and then who is going to rebuild it? if our leaders are smart they will stay out of the fighting and out of the rebuilding and won't contribute one penny unless others contribute two first.